AIDA Cruises orders newbuild at Meyer Werft

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) has ordered a 71,300-ton cruise ship for its AIDA Cruises brand, which caters exclusively to the German-speaking market. The newbuild order is subject to financing and other customary closing conditions. It marks the seventh new ship that the German cruise operator has ordered in the past six years.

The 2,192-passenger, 661 crew vessel will be built at Germany's Meyer Werft at an approximate all-in cost of euro 150,000 per lower berth and is scheduled to enter service in spring 2013.

The new vessel will operate under AIDA Cruises' informal "club resort" cruise concept which is marketed exclusively to German-speaking clientele and offers a product aimed at younger, more active guests who enjoy a host of onboard innovations.

"With growth that is outpacing other regions of the world, expanding our European brands continues to be a priority for us. This new AIDA ship will build upon the brand's leadership position in the fast-growing German-speaking market, while offering a unique onboard experience preferred by its clientele," said Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc chairman and CEO.

AIDA Cruises' President Michael Thamm added, "It has always been our strategy to achieve sustainable growth. We look forward to another innovative newbuild, tailor made for the German market."

The new ship will be number ten in the AIDA fleet and will be its seventh built by the Meyer shipyard

The new 71,300-gt AIDAblu class ship will be 252 m long and 32.20 m wide. 2,192 passengers can be accommodated on board, who will be taken care of by a crew of 661.

"I am very happy that we can continue our successful and innovative partnership with Carnival, Costa and AIDA", said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft. "When two highly innovative partners work together, this is for the most part bound to be successful. The AIDA ships are very well received by the German passengers and guarantee a sustainable growth."